KM Unit – ART. 30: Health and Safety

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1. It is the duty of the University to make a reasonable effort to provide and maintain a safe place of employment. The Union will cooperate by encouraging all employees covered by this Agreement to perform their work in a safe manner, including but not limited to complying with UC MERCED’s Injury and Illness Prevention Programs.

2. It is the duty of all employees covered by this Agreement, in the course of performing their assigned duties, to be alert to unsafe practices, equipment, and conditions, and to follow the safety regulations and requirements of the University, and to report any unsafe practices or hazardous conditions to their immediate supervisors. Employees who believe they have been subjected to reprisal for making such reports may make complaints pursuant to the University’s Whistleblower Policy.

3. An employee shall not be required to perform work which he/she reasonably believes is unsafe, until the safety concern of the employee has been reviewed by Environment, Health and Safety or designee. Management shall contact Environment, Health and Safety or designee, and the employee may be reassigned to perform other work. If the work in question is determined to be safe by the Director of Environment, Health and Safety or designee, the employee may be ordered to perform the work. If the safety matter is not resolved satisfactorily, the Union may consult with the Campus Labor Relations Director or designee, who shall investigate the safety matter and advise the Department and the Union of any findings or recommendations.

B. Protective Clothing and Equipment

1. The University may require unit employees to wear protective clothing.

2. Protective clothing is attire worn over or in place of personal clothing to protect the employee’s clothing from damage or abnormal soiling. Safety equipment protects the employee from exposure to hazardous working conditions. The University shall continue to provide clothing and safety equipment which it currently makes available to the employees covered by this Agreement. If protective clothing (e.g. overalls, coveralls, painter’s whites) is required on a continuing basis, the University shall provide and maintain such clothing. Each employee who requires prescription/corrective lenses and is in a classification which requires the use of safety lenses shall receive one pair of prescription/corrective lenses per fiscal year.

3. UC MERCED will annually (July of each year) furnish up to one-hundred seventy-five dollars ($175) towards the purchase of safety shoes to all employees in the bargaining unit. Employees shall provide receipts to their supervisor for reimbursement. While on pay status, employees shall be required to wear the safety shoes unless otherwise directed by the University.

4. Purchasing Processes for prescription/corrective safety glasses and safety shoes shall be in accordance with Appendices E and F.

C. Safety Training

1. The University will provide safety, health and environmental training consistent with the compliance requirements set forth in local, state, and federal regulations.

2. The University will provide appropriate safety training to bargaining unit employees including CPR and NFPA 70E training to employees. In addition, the University will provide hepatitis shots when employees request them.

3. The University and the Union agree that bargaining unit employees are required to carry out their job duties without endangering their own health or safety or that of other employees. The University and the Union further agree that no employee may manufacture, distribute, dispense, sell, use or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs while performing their job duties.

D. Disputes

Disputes concerning this Article shall not be subject to the Arbitration Procedure of this Agreement